You bet a name is important. Many small business owners try to come up with a clever name for their business rather than one that explains what they do. And, nine times out of ten, that is a mistake. Your business name should give your prospects some idea of what your business is about.
One of the most useful processes you can use to come up with a good name is to turn it around. Rather than looking at the name from your perspective, approach it from your prospect's perspective.
1. Identify your target market. Be specific. What are their wants and needs? Specific gender? How big are they? Do they make a certain amount of revenue? What do they look like? Draw a picture of your prospect.
2. Why should they do business with you? What are the benefits? What makes you different from all the other businesses in your industry?
Based on your answers to 1 and 2 above, brainstorm a list of words that could potentially turn into a company name. Now try putting them together. Experiment with all sorts of combinations. Eliminate those that just don't appeal to you at all.
Now narrow down that list to 10 possible names and walk away. Let the list sit for at least a day. Then come back and take a second look. See anything else that should be removed? If not, you have a potential list of names. Access your state directory of business names to make sure yours are not taken. Check the Library of Congress for patent and trademark names too.
Narrow your list again, this time whittling it down to three names. If at all possible, run those names by people who are your target market to make sure they "get it."
Okay, you're almost done. Take that list of three names and rank them in terms of how you feel about them. Say them out loud just like you would if you were introducing yourself to someone or answering the phone.
That's it. Select the name that works the best for you and get your business going.
About the Author
Denise O'Berry frequently speaks to professional organizations, is the author of three booklets, and several "how-to" manuals. She writes a weekly small business column, hosts an online small business owners forum and is called upon regularly by publications such as Entrepreneur, Bank Rate Small Business, Florida Trend, Inc., various newspapers, radio and television to provide expert comments on small business issues.
Options Trading - Advantages and Disadvantages An option is simply granting someone the right to buy or sell something in the future. Here we look at the advantages and disadvantages of trading options.
How Is Mold Like AIDS? Everyone knows about AIDS. But in a high enough count, mold will do the same things...
Shoulder Exercises To Improve Your Game Your shoulder strength and flexibility are essential to producing an optimal swing off the tee. Adequate shoulder rotation is responsible for keeping the club ...
Get Right! Make a Difference Want to make a difference ? What can one person do? The answer is everything! In its finest sense, the behavior of every one of us is central to the peace of t...
Your Baby And Social Skills Your baby's first year is filled with many challenges and new experiences for everyone in your family. One of the many things that your baby is going to be lear...
Sources for Targeted Web Site Traffic Qualified traffic is the lifeblood of any web site today, especially for ecommerce sites that are selling goods or services online. But, many media buyers and/o...
Dont Be A Reciprocal Linking Turkey! I had an email exchange with an SEO client today after his webmaster called him pushing reciprocal linking software (when all this web designer was after was to...
New Life, New Blood, New Ideas, and New Activity "Edward R. Dewey, who has been the Director for the Foundation for the study of cycles for many years, points out that every living organism, be it individual, ...
Nervous Cats, Wining the Trust of a Timid Cat Nervous cats hide from people, they do not readily present themselves for petting, and may seem downright scared of you. Probably, this was not exactly what yo...
Effective Branding...Whats in a Name! Picking a name for your company evokes emotions, good or bad. Let's take a look at 3 mergers -- implemented or possibly pending -- that resulted in the acquirin...
Is Your Life Ready For Groundhog Day? A day lived well is worth living over and over - whereas a day allowed to lie fallow was barely worth it the first time around. Which day did you live today?
Catholics Need To Take a Second Look at Morality According to CNN, Catholics voted for President Bush over Senator John Kerry by a 51 to 48 percent margin. Hence, Catholics voted for a Born Again Methodist ov...
Online Resume Tips and Secrets With the explosive growth of the internet, opportunities to post information online are abounding. Marketing yourself via the internet to potentional employers ...
Fighting Terrorism With Enchantment Many of you may look at my title and wonder if I have 'lost my marbles.' Let me explain. First let me quote from a wonderful article that was passed around on t...
Professional SEO: Hand Off to Bob or Outsource the Job Professional SEO can be performed effectively in-house or outsourced. However, there are several criteria you should consider before attempting to perform searc...
Where to Begin? January is the king of months for those looking to make new beginnings. After the reflections and indulgences of December, the excitement of a new year unfoldi...
Print this page